ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 298048
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Sunday 22 April 2018 |
| Time: | 12:12 LT |
| Type: |  Piper PA-25-235 |
| Owner/operator: | Adirondack Soaring Association Inc |
| Registration: | N7247Z |
| MSN: | 25-3176 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1965 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 3517 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-540-B2B5-C |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Saratoga Springs, New York -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Take off |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Saratoga Springs, NY (5B2) |
| Saratoga Springs, NY (5B2) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The tow plane pilot reported that, during takeoff for a glider tow, about 20 to 30 ft above ground, the airplane lurched forward and pitched nose down. He added that he pushed the tow line release mechanism forward, but it did not feel as if the tow line released. The airplane impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude, exited the runway, struck a runway light and runway sign, and ground looped.
The pilot of the glider being towed reported that, during takeoff, the glider became airborne and abruptly pitched into a steep, nose-high attitude, and he had lost sight of the tow airplane. He released the tow rope, maintained level flight attitude about 150 ft above ground, and landed on the grass adjacent to the runway without further incident.
The glider pilot reported in a follow up telephone conversation that the glider used a center of gravity (CG) hook set up for the glider tow.
The tow airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot of the tow airplane and glider reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane and glider that would have precluded normal operation.
Federal Aviation Administration's Glider Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-13A, contains a section titled "CG Hooks" which states:
A CG hook, as compared to a nose hook, makes a crosswind takeoff more difficult since the glider can weathervane into the wind more easily. In addition, a CG hook makes the glider more susceptible to kiting on takeoff, especially if the CG is near the aft limit. This can present a serious danger to the towplane during the aerotow.
It also contains a section titled "Aerotow Takeoff Procedures" which states:
One of the most dangerous occurrences during aerotow is allowing the glider to fly high above and losing sight of the towplane. The tension on the towline caused by the glider pulls the towplane tail up, lowering its nose. If the glider continues to rise, pulling the towplane tail higher, the tow pilot may not be able to raise the nose. Ultimately, the tow pilot may run out of up elevator authority.
Probable Cause: The glider pilot's failure to maintain pitch during a CG aerotow, which resulted in the loss of control of the tow airplane.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB GAA18CA222
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 2 September 2001 | N7247Z | Redtail Aviation, Inc. | 0 | Warren, Vermont | |
sub |
| Fuel exhaustion | ||||||
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 15-Oct-2022 12:16 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation